Laundry treating appliance and method of control

ABSTRACT

A laundry treating appliance having a cabinet defining an interior of the laundry treating appliance. The laundry treating appliance also having a treating chamber located within the interior and having an access opening and a door movably mounted to the cabinet between opened and closed positions to selectively open/close the access opening. A door stop assembly carried by one of the cabinet and door and operable between a non-venting position, where the door is movable between the opened and closed positions, and a venting position, where the door is prevented from moving to the closed position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Generally, laundry treating appliances such as washing machines, havedoors that rotate around a hinge to open and close the interior of thelaundry treating appliance. A latch/lock mechanism can be provided tohold the door closed while in operation.

BRIEF SUMMARY

One exemplary embodiment of the description is a laundry treatingappliance that has a cabinet defining an interior of the laundrytreating appliance and a treating chamber located within the interiorand having an access opening. The laundry treating appliance has a doormovably mounted to the cabinet between an open position and a ventingposition. The door stop assembly has a door stop carried by the cabinetthat is moveable between at least a venting position where the door ismaintained ajar and a non-venting position where the door is in a closedposition. The door stop assembly can engage the door in the ventingposition and move the door to the closed position in response to a userinput.

Another exemplary embodiment of the description is a laundry treatingappliance having a cabinet that defines an interior of the laundrytreating appliance. The laundry treating appliance also has a treatingchamber located within the interior and has an access opening. A door ismovably mounted to the cabinet between at least venting and closedpositions to selectively vent/close the access opening. A door stopassembly is carried by the cabinet and is operable between a ventingposition where the door is prevented from moving to the closed positionand a non-venting position where the door is in the closed position. Alatch is located on the door. The door stop assembly is operable toengage the latch on the door and move the door from the venting positionto the closed position.

Another exemplary embodiment of the description is a method ofpreventing closing of an appliance door relative to a cabinet duringnon-operation of the appliance. The method comprises the step ofautomatically moving a door stop assembly from a non-venting position,where the door is closed, to a venting position, where the door isprevented from moving to the closed position upon the movement of thedoor from the closed position to the venting position.

Another exemplary embodiment of the description is a method of closingan appliance door relative to a cabinet during operation of theappliance. The method comprises the step of receiving a user input at acontroller of the appliance and in response to the received user inputby the controller, activating a door stop assembly to move a door stopfrom an extended position, where the door is prevented from moving to aclosed position to a retracted position, where the door is closed.Activation of the door stop assembly causes the door stop to engage alatch on the door and causes the door to move to the closed position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a laundry treating appliance in the formof a washing machine.

FIG. 2 is a schematic of a control system of the laundry treatingappliance of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a door assembly with a door stop assembly in aventing position for the laundry treating appliance of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4A is a side view of the door stop assembly of FIG. 3 in a ventingposition.

FIG. 4B is a side view of the door stop assembly of FIG. 3 moving to anon-venting position.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the steps of operating a laundrytreating appliance having a door stop assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this description will reference many different features for alaundry treating appliance, one beneficial and advantageous feature is adoor stop assembly that prevents the door of the laundry treatingappliance from closing while the appliance is not operating. The doorstop assembly allows the door of the appliance to be moved between openand venting positions while the appliance is not in use for loading orunloading laundry. Upon user activation, for example, by powering on theappliance, selecting a cycle, or selecting the start button, the doorstop assembly is configured to engage the door when it is in the ventingposition and close the door so the laundry treating appliance can runthe selected wash cycle. Upon completion of the wash cycle, the doorstop assembly automatically opens the door to the venting position, andprevents the door from closing without user activation.

In more detail, FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a laundry treatingappliance 10 such as a washing machine. The laundry treating appliance10 can be any appliance which performs a cycle of operation to clean orotherwise treat items placed therein, non-limiting examples of whichinclude a horizontal clothes washer; a combination washing machine anddryer; a tumbling or stationary refreshing/revitalizing machine; anextractor; a non-aqueous washing apparatus; and a revitalizing machine.

The laundry treating appliance 10 can include a structural supportsystem comprising a cabinet 12 which defines a housing within which alaundry holding system resides. The cabinet 12 can be a housing having achassis and/or a frame, defining an interior enclosing componentstypically found in a conventional washing machine, such as motors,pumps, fluid lines, controls, sensors, transducers, and the like. Suchcomponents will not be described further herein except as necessary fora complete understanding of the invention.

The laundry treating appliance comprises a tub 14 supported within thecabinet 12 by a suitable suspension system and a drum 16 provided withinthe tub 14, the drum 16 defining at least a portion of a laundrytreating chamber 18. The drum 16 can include a plurality of perforations20 such that liquid can flow between the tub 14 and the drum 16 throughthe perforations 20. A plurality of baffles 22 can be disposed on aninner surface of the drum 16 to lift the laundry load received in thetreating chamber 18 while the drum 16 rotates. It is also within thescope of the invention for the laundry holding system to comprise only atub with the tub defining the laundry treating chamber.

The laundry treating appliance 10 also includes a control system forcontrolling the operation of the treating appliance 10 to implement oneor more cycles of operation. The control system can include a controller96 located within the cabinet 12 and a user interface 98 that isoperably coupled with the controller 96. The user interface 98 caninclude one or more knobs, dials, switches, displays, touch screens andthe like for communicating with the user, such as to receive input andprovide output. The user can enter different types of informationincluding, without limitation, cycle selection and cycle parameters,such as cycle options.

The controller 96 can include the machine controller and any additionalcontrollers provided for controlling any of the components of thetreating appliance 10. For example, the controller 96 can include themachine controller and a motor controller. Many known types ofcontrollers can be used for the controller 96. The specific type ofcontroller is not germane to the invention. It is contemplated that thecontroller is a microprocessor-based controller that implements controlsoftware and sends/receives one or more electrical signals to/from eachof the various working components to effect the control software. As anexample, proportional control (P), proportional integral control (PI),and proportional derivative control (PD), or a combination thereof, aproportional integral derivative control (PID control), can be used tocontrol the various components.

The laundry treating appliance 10 further includes a door 24 that can bemovably mounted to the cabinet 12 between open, venting, and closedpositions. In the open position, the door 24 can be opened far enough toallow a laundry to be loaded in drum. In the venting position, the door24 can be slightly “ajar” to allow airflow into and out of the tub, andin the closed position the door seals against a bellows 26 to close thetub 14 and the drum 16.

The cabinet 12 can further comprise a door stop assembly 35 havingventing and non-venting positions. In the venting position, the doorstop assembly 35 prevents the door 24 from moving to the closedposition. In this position, the door 24 can freely move between the openposition, for allowing a user to load or unload laundry items, and theventing position, where the door will be maintained in a slightly openedor ajar position. In the non-venting position, the door is in the closedposition.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary schematic of a control system of the laundrytreating appliance. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the controller 96 can beprovided with a memory 100 and a central processing unit (CPU) 102. Thememory 100 can be used for storing the control software that is executedby the CPU 102 in completing a cycle of operation using the treatingappliance 10 and any additional software.

In addition, the controller 96 can be operably coupled with one or morecomponents of the treating appliance 10 for communicating with andcontrolling the operation of the component to complete a cycle ofoperation. For example, the controller 96 can be operably coupled withthe motor 88, the pump 74, the dispenser 62, the sump heater 84, doorstop assembly 35 and other components to control their operation and toimplement one or more of the cycles of operation.

FIG. 3 shows a top view of a laundry treating appliance door assemblywith the door stop assembly 35 mounted on the cabinet 12 and in theventing position. In this embodiment, door 24 is hinged to cabinet 12.The cabinet 12 carries the door stop assembly 35 comprised of anactuator 204 and door stop or latch 206. As illustrated, the door stopassembly 35 is in the venting position. In this position, the door stop206 is in an extended position which ensures a clearance gap 40 ismaintained between the door 24 and the cabinet 12. Conversely, when doorstop assembly 35 is in the non-venting position, or is moving to thenon-venting position, door stop 206 engages door 24 and moves to aretracted position, thereby fully closing door 24 and sealing door 24against cabinet 12 or bellows 26. Actuator 204 can be operably connectedto the controller 96 and to door stop 206 to move the door stop 206between the extended, venting position, and retracted, non-ventingposition.

The door stop assembly 35 including the actuator 204 can be activated bythe controller 96 through programmed instructions activated by userinput, or by a separate user input on the user interface. For example,the door stop assembly may be activated by a user powering-on theappliance, choosing a wash cycle, or pressing the start button. Inaddition the door stop assembly 35 can be activated at the end of a washcycle or at any point during a cycle. In this way, the controller 96automatically or through user input, can operably control activation ofthe door stop assembly 35 between venting and non-venting positions.

As also shown in FIG. 3, the clearance gap 40 maintains a sufficient gapfor acting as both an inlet and outlet for exhaust of air and/or gasses.It is contemplated the clearance gap 40, or the angle between the door24 and the cabinet 12 or bellows 26, will be greater than or equal toabout 2 degrees. Such a gap 40 will allow airflow (A) to enter and exitthe wash chamber. This solution reduces cost of the washing machine 10by eliminating parts such as hoses, clamps, plastic housing, and otherpassive ventilation parts typically associates with washing machines.

FIG. 4A is an exemplary cross-sectional view of the door and door stopassembly taken across line IV-IV in FIG. 3. While FIG. 4 illustrates adoor stop assembly 35 and a relating door latching system, it should beunderstood that there are many ways to implements a door latching systemwithout limiting the scope of the disclosure. In a non-limiting example,the door 24 is in the venting position. In this position, typically in apower down state, the door 24 abuts door stop 206, preventing the door24 from being fully closed. The door 24 can carry a door catch 220 andthe cabinet 12 or bellows 26 can carry door stop assembly 35 comprisedof an actuator 204, door stop 206 and latch 212. As shown, door stop 206is extended, thus preventing door 24 from moving to a closed position.As discussed, in the venting position, the door stop 206 extends anamount sufficient to block the movement of the door 24, thus maintainingthe door 24 in a venting position and preventing the door 24 fromclosing.

Actuator 204 can be connected to door stop 206, and can be configured tomove the door stop 206 between extended and retracted positions.Actuator 204 slidably or rotatably extends and retracts the door stop206 between extended and retracted positions. The mechanical actuationof actuator 204 can be achieved by any number of mechanical actuatorsknown in the art such as by wax motor, a mechanical cam and rotator, orany similar mechanism that can be deployed or retracted for purposes ofopening or maintaining a door in an open position. In addition, itshould also be noted that actuator 204 maybe a manual mechanicalactuator. In other words, the door stop assembly 35 could also bemanually activated by a user.

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the door and door stop assembly ofFIG. 4A except with the door stop assembly 35 starting to move from theventing position to the non-venting position. It is also contemplatedthat the door catch 220 can operably connect to door stop 206, such thatwhen the door stop assembly 35 is activated either automatically or viauser input, the door stop 206 engages door catch 220 and causes the door24 to move to a closed position without intervention by the user. Oncein the closed, non-venting position, door laundry treating appliance 10can be operated.

Alternatively, the actuator 204 can move or slidably retract the doorstop 206 into its retracted position without engaging the door. In otherwords, the retracted position of the door stop 206 is such that it doesnot extend beyond the length of the catch 220 and allows catch 220 toengage with and catch the latch 212 if a user manually closes the door.

While exemplary embodiments FIGS. 4A and 4B, illustrate a door stopassembly 35 being carried on the cabinet 12 or bellows 26, it should berecognized the door stop assembly 35 could be located on the door 24instead. Also, FIGS. 4A and 4B show that the door 24 carries a catch 220and the cabinet 12 or bellows 26 carries a latch 212, it is feasible forthe door 24 and the cabinet 12 carry opposite elements, or for otherclosing and latching elements to be provided, without limiting the scopeof the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary method of the stepsof operating a laundry treating appliance having a door stop assembly.In operation, to start a load of laundry, the door can be in either theventing or open position, illustrated as step 110. Next, the user canload laundry into the washing machine, shown as step 112. If the door isin the open position, the user can load laundry 112 into the washingmachine. If the door is in the venting position, the user can open thedoor and load laundry 112 into the washing machine. After laundry isloaded 112 into the washing machine, the user can move the door to theventing position, shown as step 114. In this position, the door stop isfully extended, thus preventing the door from being pushed completelyclosed to a non-venting position by the user. Next, the user can poweron the washing machine, shown as step 116. As part of the power on step,the user can select the desired wash cycle and any other modificationsdesired to a specific wash cycle. Finally, the user can press the“Start” button, shown as step 118 to begin operation of the washingmachine. Upon pressing the “Start” button, the controller of the washingmachine causes the door stop to retract. During the retraction process,the door stop engages the door catch and pulls the door completelyclosed 54 to the non-venting position, shown as step 120. Once the dooris fully closed, the controller locks the door in the closed position,and the wash cycle begins.

At the completion of a wash cycle, shown as step 130, the controller ofthe washing machine unlocks the door and causes the door stop to extend.During the extension process, the door stop pushes the door until it isopen to the vent position, shown as step 132. Once the door is in theventing position, the user can open the door and unload laundry from thewashing, shown as step 134. Finally once, the laundry is unloaded, thecan move the door back to the venting position, shown as step 136. Onceagain, the user cannot fully close the door as the door stop preventsthe door from closing to the non-venting position.

It should be recognized that the described door stop assembly can beapplied to any number of appliances, including washer-dryer combos,horizontal and vertical axis washers, horizontal and vertical axisdryers, refrigerators and other appliances without limiting the scope ofdisclosure.

While the present invention has been described with reference to theparticular illustrative embodiments, it is not to be restricted by theembodiments but only by the appended claims. It is to be appreciatedthat those skilled in the art can change or modify the embodimentswithout departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

To the extent not already described, the different features andstructures of the various embodiments can be used in combination witheach other as desired. That one feature cannot be illustrated in all ofthe embodiments is not meant to be construed that it cannot be, but isdone for brevity of description. Thus, the various features of thedifferent embodiments can be mixed and matched as desired to form newembodiments, whether or not the new embodiments are expressly described.

What is claimed is:
 1. A laundry treating appliance comprising: acabinet defining an interior of the laundry treating appliance; atreating chamber located within the interior and having an accessopening; a door movably mounted to the cabinet between at least open,venting, and closed positions; a door stop assembly comprising a doorstop carried by the cabinet moveable between at least a venting positionwhere the door is maintained ajar and a non-venting position where thedoor is in a closed position; the door stop assembly operable to engagethe door in the venting position and automatically move the door to theclosed position in response to a user input.
 2. The laundry treatingappliance of claim 1 wherein the user input is based on a user selectionof one of power on, cycle select, or start.
 3. The laundry treatingappliance of claim 2 further comprising a user interface and having theuser input operably coupled to the door stop assembly.
 4. The laundrytreating appliance of claim 1 wherein the door stop assembly isautomatically activated at the end of a wash cycle.
 5. The laundrytreating appliance of claim 1 further comprising a door catch carried bythe door and a latch carried by one of the cabinet or door stop assemblyand engaging the door catch when the door is closed.
 6. The laundrytreating appliance of claim 5 wherein when the door catch is engagedwith the latch, the door stop is in a retracted position.
 7. The laundrytreating appliance of claim 1 further comprising an actuator and a doorstop operably coupled to the actuator.
 8. The laundry treating applianceof claim 7 wherein the actuator moves the door stop between a retractedposition, corresponding to the non-venting position, and an extendedposition, corresponding to the venting position.
 9. The laundry treatingappliance of claim 8 wherein movement between the redacted position andextended position occurs based automatically.
 10. The laundry treatingappliance of claim 9 wherein movement between the redacted position andextended position occurs at the end of a wash cycle.
 11. A laundrytreating appliance comprising: a cabinet defining an interior; atreating chamber located within the interior and having an accessopening; a door comprising a catch and movably mounted to the cabinetbetween at least open, venting, and closed positions to selectivelyopen, vent, and close the access opening; and a door stop carried by thecabinet and operable between an extended position that prevents the doorfrom moving to a closed position, and a retracted position thatmaintains the door in the closed position; wherein the door stop isoperable to engage the catch and move the door from the venting positionto the closed position automatically in response to user initiation of acycle of operation.
 12. The laundry treating appliance of claim 11further comprising a user interface and having the user input operablycoupled to the door stop assembly.
 13. The laundry treating appliance ofclaim 12 wherein the door stop is automatically activated at the end ofa wash cycle.
 14. The laundry treating appliance of claim 12 whereinmovement between the redacted position and extended position occursbased automatically.
 15. The laundry treating appliance of claim 12further comprising a latch carried by one of the cabinet or door stopassembly and wherein when the door catch is engaged with the latch whenthe door stop is in the retracted position.
 16. The laundry treatingappliance of claim 12 further comprising an actuator operably coupled tothe door stop.
 17. A method of preventing closing of an appliance doorrelative to a cabinet during non-operation of the appliance, the methodcomprising the step of automatically moving a door stop assembly from anon-venting position, where the door is in a closed position, to aventing position, where the door is prevented from moving to the closedposition, upon the movement of the door from the closed position to theventing position.
 18. The method of claim 17 wherein the door stopassembly moves from the non-venting to venting position in response toending of a wash cycle.
 19. A method of closing an appliance doorrelative to a cabinet during operation of the appliance, the methodcomprising: receiving a user input at a controller of the appliance; inresponse to the received user input by the controller, activating a doorstop assembly to move a door stop from an extended position, where thedoor is prevented from moving to a closed position to a retractedposition, where the door is in a closed position, whereby activation ofthe door stop assembly causes the door stop to engage a catch on thedoor moving the door to the closed position.
 20. The method of claim 19wherein the user input is based on a user selection of one of power on,cycle select, or start.